I ask for help in the treatment of African parrot

[Lidia]

Good day



To my parrot Jaquo is 8 years old, I bought it from the breeders at three months old in Moscow, and all eight years we are inseparably with him.


A month ago, my bird appeared sniffing, heard only when sitting on his shoulder and sneezing 20 times can sneeze during the day, Soplek no, I was recommended to rinse the mink of the spout, I did it with a solution of chamomile and so gave chamomile with lemon and honey (dissolved a bit) on the attraction of two weeks, and also warmed the blue lamp, but it did not stop and sniffing and sneezing are present.


More than a week ago I did not like the litter (it had a lot of liquid (urine)), added to it in the bird feeder (in the morning and in the evening) VETOM on the tip of the knife, as well as in the feed lactobyfadol, ass clean. (I will put a photo of the litter from the observation of the last three days (not morning)) and began to drink more occasionally at night as he descends and drinks (long enough)
Reading the forums, I realized that we could not do without a survey, although for all this time we have never been visited anywhere and if we only donated a litter.


On Monday morning, 19.02, we surrendered the litter for microscopy (coprology) and sowing (handed over the veterinary laboratory of Krasnodar), on Tuesday 20.02, microscopy was ready, they said on the phone that it was negative, and only 26.02 (and those results I'll take it) calling all veterinarians to find out that they do not pass tests in this laboratory (although it's the only one in veterinary medicine) because they do not trust (like they always have everything negative), (22.02) we agreed to do an x-ray in one veterinary clinic, because never went anywhere to us, it was a shock, but I will not describe how it happened.


Have made a roentgen (I attach two pictures) + we have handed over again a litter + with a pharynx + a blood (the general or common analysis and biochemistry), have immediately told or said, that a glucose 11,6. all this was done under gas anesthesia.


It's only these two days after the examination (23.02-24.02.02) that my cute parrot does not want to eat much and it's clear that he does not have any mood.


Please look at the pictures, I will be very hopeful for your recommendations and advice.


https://ibb.co/jctgLx


https://ibb.co/b2EStH


Today came tests (which were handed over on Thursday) UAC, BHAK and litter, not yet on sowing. Please see, that it can be very very please.

My favorite parrot was diagnosed with Aspergillosis, but we can not find lekartssvo from aspergillosis in Russia.

 

[SilverSage]

Oh no! I’m so sorry! I have no experience treating aspergillosis, hopefully another member can help!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lidia]

thank you for responding, I'll wait, hope and believe that someone will have some kind of information on this disease, since my parrot for me means a lot!

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome to Parrot Forums. I am so very sorry to hear of the health problem your dear Parrot faces. I hope that this helps. I have highlighted another option. I have also included a link!

Treatment of Acute and Chronic Aspergillosis in Birds In regards to treatment, antifungal drugs may be administered to your bird (itraconazole and amphotericin B). These can be given by mouth, topically, through injection, or nebulizing and will depend upon the particular drug. The medication will need to be given for a period weeks to months and in some cases more than one antifungal drug will be used. In addition to medication, supportive care may be helpful to include oxygen, heat, feeding by a tube, and providing treatment for any underlying conditions. Surgery may be recommended to remove any lesions. During treatment, prognosis is guarded. Recovery of Acute and Chronic Aspergillosis in Birds Good husbandry and diet are imperative to keep there from being aspergillosis outbreaks. Birds should be kept in an environment that is well-ventilated with clean food and water dishes. The bottom of your bird’s cage should be cleaned often and your bird should be removed from the cage while his environment and other items are thoroughly cleaned (at least monthly). Alleviating stress in your bird’s life is also important in helping him avoid developing disease.

Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/bird/condition/acute-and-chronic-aspergillosis


Best and kind regards


EDIT: Looks like I was also texting at the same time as Stephen (Anansi). Equally as great info.

 

[Anansi]

I'm so sorry to hear that! Aspergillosis is a very stubborn fungal respiratory disease caused by exposure to the aspergillus fungus. It's usually treated with a regimen of anti-fungal medication and anti-inflammatories.

Also, since other illnesses that suppress the immune system often leave birds susceptible to Aspergillosis as a secondary infection, it's a good idea to get checked for other infections as well.

I'll be keeping you and Jaquo in my thoughts and prayers.

EDIT: Looks like I was texting at the same time as Steven (Sailboat). Great info.

 

[Kiwibird]

I have little to offer in terms of treatment, but I did want to make sure you are aware peanuts (not sure if they are called something different in Russia) are the main cause of aspergillosis in parrots. Sadly lower quality ingredients are used in pet foods, meaning the likelihood of contaminated peanuts in a bird food mix is far higher than contamination in peanuts destined for human food uses. If your bird is eating a food mix with peanuts, you should change to a different brand without peanuts and to be safe, discontinue feeding peanuts, even human grade. I hope you vet can can your bird on a treatment that works and that your little buddy recovers.

P.S.- Is the vet you're seeing avian (bird) specialized? If not, is there an avian specialist vet you can see or perhaps if you live too far away, simply contact or ask your local vet to contact for a consult? I imagine in a country as big as Russia there has to be at least a few avian specialized vets.

 

[Lidia]

Thank you very much for your advice!
We create cleanliness, we have a large cage, we have game stands for a parrot, we bathe, we teach songs, buy educational toys, we eat fruits and vegetables, sprouted grain, from dry food of Prestige Versele-Laga.
I really love him and really want him to recover!

 

[Lidia]

Yes, indeed, we have veterinarians-ornithologists only in Moscow, I consulted with them, and they put such a diagnosis to my parrot.
In this forage there is peanut, I unfortunately, did not know this before, and I throw it out of the forage long ago.

 

[Anansi]

I have little to offer in terms of treatment, but I did want to make sure you are aware peanuts (not sure if they are called something different in Russia) are the main cause of aspergillosis in parrots. Sadly lower quality ingredients are used in pet foods, meaning the likelihood of contaminated peanuts in a bird food mix is far higher than contamination in peanuts destined for human food uses. If your bird is eating a food mix with peanuts, you should change to a different brand without peanuts and to be safe, discontinue feeding peanuts, even human grade. I hope you vet can can your bird on a treatment that works and that your little buddy recovers.

P.S.- Is the vet you're seeing avian (bird) specialized? If not, is there an avian specialist vet you can see or perhaps if you live too far away, simply contact or ask your local vet to contact for a consult? I imagine in a country as big as Russia there has to be at least a few avian specialized vets.

Great point about the peanuts, April! I'm glad you mentioned it, as I forgot to. But I eliminated peanuts from my birds' diet the minute I learned about the tendency of peanuts to harbor the aspergillus fungus. You just never know.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, wishing a full recovery and the very best for Jaquo!

I had a cockatoo diagnosed with Aspergillosis several years ago. This was noted at an early stage, and a course of Itraconazole for about 4 weeks was sufficient for her to fully recover. It is a tenacious illness with progressively worsening symptoms, so aggressive action is required. Hopefully Jaquo is also at an early stage and will respond well.

Itraconazole is a human-grade medicine authorized for parrots and is no doubt available to you. Has Jaquo's veterinarian discussed treatment?

More information from the Merck Veterinary Manual: Mycotic Diseases of Pet Birds - Exotic and Laboratory Animals - Merck Veterinary Manual
Scroll down just a bit for Aspergillosis description, findings, diagnosis, and treatment.

Please let us know what treatment Jaquo receives and we'd love to hear updates!

 

[Lidia]

The veterinarian found aspergillosis from the pictures and assigned "Voriconazole" 50 mg, but unfortunately for a year already this preparation has not been produced, there is only 200 mg, but when calculating for a parrot, one tablet should be divided into 36 parts, accordingly the bird can not get the correct dosage, and there is no other alternative. And as the veterinarian said to look in other countries (generics), so I started looking for an alternative, found in India, , but the veterinarian did not approve of this lekartsvo.

 

[Aquila]

Do you have access to a Veterinary college? You might want to ask you vet about his colleagues in other locations. Also consider a compounding pharmacy that may be able to formulate the medication for your bird in liquid form.

 

[Scott]

The veterinarian found aspergillosis from the pictures and assigned "Voriconazole" 50 mg, but unfortunately for a year already this preparation has not been produced, there is only 200 mg, but when calculating for a parrot, one tablet should be divided into 36 parts, accordingly the bird can not get the correct dosage, and there is no other alternative. And as the veterinarian said to look in other countries (generics), so I started looking for an alternative, found in India, , but the veterinarian did not approve of this lekartsvo.

Canadian pharmacies offer brand-name and generic drugs for mail-order to a variety of nations. I asked them via email whether they are authorized to ship to Moscow, Russia. This is their product for Itraconazole: https://www.canadadrugpharmacy.com/buy-itraconazole-online.asp
I have not used this or other Canadian pharmacy, posting for illustration only!

A compounding pharmacy may be of assistance. I have used them in the past for drugs used with parrots.

If the Canadian pharmacies cannot export to Russia, perhaps elsewhere in Europe or Asia? I am concerned with the delay in treatment, as Aspergillosis is aggressive and requires fast reaction.

 

[Kiwibird]

You may also consider contacting zoos. Zoos typically have specialists on staff that may not normally work with the public but might help out with individual cases if you send them a nice email explaining that your bird is very sick and needing to find the right dosage of this medication or an alternate medication that can be divided into appropriate dosages for parrots.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that your parrot is sick.

I am surprised that the x-ray (roentgen) shows the hands of people holding him! This extra radiation is dangerous for the people, especially if they do it often. If the vet is so careless with the humans in the office, does it mean they will be careless about the parrot?

I do not know how to understand the x-rays, it takes special training. I had a parrot who got an infection that made him sneeze. It can be caused by some material in the nostril. Sometimes there is dried mucus, or food, or some other thing that gets in the nose, and it can collect and become like a small rock. The english word for this is rhinolith - "nose stone" and the vet has to remove it with anesthesia because it can be painful. Or there can be an infection in the head or airways.

Our bird we treated with nebulizer - vapor. The parrot has to sit in a plastic box, which is fitted with a special pump that turns liquid medicine into vapor, like a cold fog, inside the box and the bird breathes the medicine this way. Baytril is a common drug used for this, but the right medicine depends on what the tests say.

Even without the box, you must keep your parrot in a warm place. In the winter the air inside can become very dry which is bad for his breathing, as it is for yours. If you can have a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air, so it is more humid, this might help him.

What do you have in the cage bottom to soak up the waste? Do you have paper? Your post used the word "litter" which to me is the clay particles that usually are in cat boxes. This litter is very bad for parrots because it makes a fine dust. Also, some people used litter made of corn cobs, or sawdust, or ground up nut shells, and these are very dangerous for parrots. The sawdust and corn cobs litter almost always will have aspergillosis spores in it. At the bottom of the cage should be only paper, and change it every day for clean paper. And clean water every day also.

If it is difficult to understand my writing in English, I can ask my friend to translate. I have a good friend who speaks excellent Russian and I can ask him to please translate your message to us, and to translate our message to you, so there is no confusion. You can ask any of the moderators to forward a private message to me, and I will do it.

I hope your parrot becomes healthy again soon.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Also - the way to give correct dose is to dilute it. For example, dissolve the 200 mg tablet in 100 ml of water, every 1 milliliter of water will contain 2 mg of drug. So you can easily make the correct dose. You should use boiled and cooled water, and keep the extra in the refrigerator, and try to make just the smallest amount you need.

 

[Lidia]

Hello !
I am very pleased that so many like-minded people, do not ignore my story, thank you all for the links provided, I've read everything, and in the near future I will find a cure in any ways to help my dear parrot.

 

[Lidia]

It's not garbage, I do not know how I wrote it, it has a filler on the bottom of the cage, I change it twice a week, and every day I clean the rest of the food.

 

[Kentuckienne]

It's not garbage, I do not know how I wrote it, it has a filler on the bottom of the cage, I change it twice a week, and every day I clean the rest of the food.

I think there is a translate problem. The word “litter” can mean trash, like garbage thrown beside the road, and it also means the gray clay stuff that goes in boxes for cat bathrooms. I did not mean to say you put garbage in the cage, I meant the gray granules used for cats, or shavings of wood, or other materials like it. Pet stores sell this for using in cages for hamsters, pet rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and other small animals but it is not safe for parrots. The only safe thing for a parrot cage is paper, like newspaper. The other materials often have aspergillosis spores.

 

[Lidia]

Thank you, I did not even know that you can not use these granules, I was recommended by the breeder of parrots, I'll change it well on paper.